Mobile Changing Mat Apparatuses, Systems and Methods

ABSTRACT

A portable mat apparatus including a lower holding pan containing at least one centrally located opening, a self draining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan, and at least two grated mats located above said self draining pan, wherein a user can stand on said grated mats to change his or her clothing. Embodiments of the claimed subject matter include apparatuses, systems and methods having a self draining pan with one or more compartmentalized storage spaces, handles, cargo nets, net notches, drain holes, leash lock loops for securing the self draining pan, one or more plastic containers each of which is removably attached to the one or more walls of the self draining pan, one or more cargo x components formed from at least two elastic hook and loop fastener straps each of which is removably attached to one or more walls of the self draining pan, and one or more elastocket components.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the claimed subject matter relate to devices and methodsfor use in changing in and out of wet articles typically a the user hasa need to change out of wet clothing.

In one example of the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,083 to Arnolddescribes changing robe shelters that give a user privacy whilechanging. The changing robe includes a loosely fitting body with shortwide sleeves and central large pocket with interior access for clothes

U.S. Pat. No. 6,859,940 to Sholander is directed to a garment fordonning or removing clothing, in particular, a surfer's wetsuit, thegarment comprising a tubular skirt/wrap having an open upper end and anopen lower end, the open upper end securable about the waist of asurfer, the tubular skirt/wrap having hand and arm apertures formedtherein proximate said upper end for insertion of the user's hands andarms for removal and donning of street clothes and removal and donningof a wetsuit, the garment formed of a combination of waterproof andabsorbent panels.

Other commercially available products known in the prior art and used inthe process of changing clothes include the Moonbag, the Wetsuit bag byDakine, the Change Mat by FCS, a surfboard separator by K&M Stacker, andthe Motomat.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the claimed subject matter include portable matapparatuses, systems and methods which help a user when changing into orout of clothing. One embodiment of the portable mat apparatus includes alower holding pan containing at least one centrally located opening, aself draining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan, and atleast two grated mats located above said self draining pan, wherein auser can stand on said grated mats to change his or her clothing.

Other embodiments of the claimed subject matter include apparatuses,systems and methods having a self draining pan with one or morecompartmentalized storage spaces, handles, cargo nets, net notches,drain holes, leash lock loops for securing the self draining pan, one ormore plastic containers each of which is removably attached to the oneor more walls of the self draining pan, one or more cargo x componentsformed from at least two elastic hook and loop fastener straps each ofwhich is removably attached to one or more walls of the self drainingpan, and one or more elastocket components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top front perspective view of an embodiment of theclaimed subject matter;

FIG. 2 depicts a side perspective view of an embodiment of the claimedsubject matter;

FIG. 3 depicts a top plan view of an embodiment of the claimed subjectmatter;

FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of another embodiment of theclaimed subject matter;

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of a holding pan of an embodimentof the claimed subject matter; and

FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective view of a dri deck component of anembodiment of the claimed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the claimed subject matter include changing matapparatuses, systems and methods which provide advantages over changingmats found in the prior art. Embodiments can be constructed oflightweight plastic, polymer and/or elastomeric materials.

With reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals signify likeelements throughout the figures, the following reference numerals andcorresponding elements are used:

-   -   10 mat apparatus;    -   20 holding pan;    -   22 self draining pan;    -   24 tie-wrap netlock;    -   25 tie-wrap hole;    -   26 net notches;    -   27 tiw-wrap net guide;    -   28 cut out handle;    -   30 drain holes;    -   32 leash lock;    -   33 adhesive square;    -   34 cargo straps;    -   35 slit;    -   36 lace holes;    -   38 elastic cold pocket;    -   40 finger guide;    -   42 hook and loop fastener;    -   44 wax box;    -   48 cap leash;    -   49 shower head;    -   50 vest;    -   52 elastic cargo net;    -   54 dri-deck segment;    -   56 padding for cut out handle;    -   58 pull loops;    -   60 shower head nozzle;    -   62 rinse bottle;    -   64 drain pan holes;    -   66 fin bag;    -   68 toggle;    -   70 holes in shower head nozzle;    -   72 spout fitting adhesive padding;    -   74 rinse bottle cap;    -   76 storage belt; and    -   78 mesh pocket    -   80 cargo x

Turning now to the drawings, which are to be reviewed in conjunctionwith this specification, FIG. 1 illustrates a top front perspective viewof an embodiment 10 of the claimed subject matter. The holding pan 20contains the nesting self draining pans 22 and tie-wrap “netlock” 24 isdepicted laced through tie wrap hole 25 around the edges of the holdingpan 20 in order to secure the elastic cargo net 52. Net notches 16provide slots for the elastic cargo net 52. Two tie wrap net guides 27are laced through a tie wrap hole 25, and these guides 27 help the cargonet 52 to slide smoothly when stretching across pan 20 and pans 22. Inthis embodiment, three pull loops 58 allow the elastic cargo net 52 tobe pulled by the user.

The shape of the net notches 26 allow the user to dock and release theholding pan 20 and the self draining pan 22. The cut out handles 28 inpan 20 are cushioned with adhesive passing 56 to increase comfort whencarrying the apparatus 10. Several drain holes 30 that are ¾″ indiameter also are shown. These holes 30 allow water to flow out of theembodiment 10 when it is lifted. In this manner, accumulated water canbe discarded from the apparatus after use by lifting with handle 28allowing the previously cleaned gear that is also located withinapparatus 10 to remain.

In this embodiment, the leash lock 32 is constructed of hook and loopfastener material and includes a finger loop 40 which is similarlysecured by an adhesive hook and loop fastener square. A portion of thefastener is also affixed to base of self draining pan 22. Two leash lockstraps 32 are woven through slits 35 (not shown) between a number ofdrain holes 30 in the pan 22.

Additionally, elastic hook and loop fastener straps 34 are laced throughslits 35 forming a “cargo x” which may be used top store items such assun block or deodorant. Lace holes 36 in the self draining pan 22 allowelastocket 38 to be formed by lacing elastic cord in a symmetric fashionand a toggle 68 at the ends of the cords allow the capacity to beadjusted by the user. A finger guide 40 keeps the elastic codes of theelastocket 38 in place and provides a finger loop of material for easyaccessibility by the user.

One surface of the pan 22 contains a mesh pocket 78 with a pull loop 58for access by a user. The pocket 78 may be constructed out of anysuitable material and a pocket 78 made of a mesh material can providestorage of items such as swim fins while still allowing water to drainfrom pan 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of an embodiment is depictedillustrating an embodiment 10. A user starting to change his or herclothing could first pull loops 58 using his or her finger to remove thepocket 78 from the pan 22. Next, the pan 20 and pan 22 are separated andplaced on the ground. Next, a user places one dri-dek segment 54 orcomponent 54 in front of the holding pan 20 leaving at least one othersegment 54 within pan 20. This process helps ensure that separationbetween ones feet and wet suit from the sand that is rinsed off of theuser's foot.

After placing the dri-desk segment 54 in front of pan 20, the userrinses with a shower head 60 and/or a rinse bottle 62 (not shown.) Theshower head 60 and/or a rinse bottle 62 may also be removably attachedto embodiment 10. The cap leash 48 (also not shown) helps keep the capfrom becoming lost. While rinsing, the water collects in the base of thepan 20 submerging segment 54 in the process. This results in the user'sfeet being washed with water and the sand and dirt to fall to the bottomof pan 20. After washing and removing the wet clothing (and placing thewet clothing into pan 20) while standing on segment 54 located withinpan 20, the user steps off onto the segment 54 located external to pan20. The user, now standing on the dri-dek segment 54 located in front ofpan 20, moves the wet clothing to the self draining pan 22. Otherclothing such as a wet suit and/or accessories could then be placed onthe cut out handle 28 side to allow for air drying. Next, the dri-deksegment 54 located outside of pan 20 is placed back into the pan 20,inside of self draining pan 22 which is nested within pan 20. A rinsebottle 62 could also be placed on top of pocket 78 in pan 22. The rinsebottle 62 may also include an insulating jacket to keep rinse waterwarm. The elastic cargo net 52 is then pulled back over the top ofembodiment 10 using pull loops 58 and net notch guide 26. After cargonet 52 is positioned for use, the embodiment 10 may be lifted usinghandles 28 allowing the sandy or dirty water to exit through drain holes30 in the holding pan 20 as well as the self draining pan 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a top plan view of an embodiment is depicted.It again illustrates various elements of the embodiment 10. An aspect ofthe embodiment is the wax box 44, which is part of the compartmentalizedstorage space. Box 44 is removably attached to the holding pan 20 usinghook and loop fastener 42. The wax box 44 can hold surf wax and/or a waxcomb. Another feature shown is the elastic hook and loop fastener strapcargo x 34 which can be used to accommodate larger items for storage.Another cargo x 34 may accommodate other items. Both are adjustable asdesired by the user. Also shown is the elastocket 38 which can be usedfor storage and which is adjusted using toggle 68 (not shown.) Theelastic cords of the elastocket 38 are laced through the holes 36 andheld together with finger guide 40. Also shown is a leash lock hook 32which is constructed of hook and loop material. Hook 32 includes a loopfastener strip with a finger loop and is used for storage, such as thestorage of extra leashes. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a pocket 78 with itsassociated pull loop 58.

Referring to FIG. 4, a top perspective view of an embodiment is depictedillustrating the use of cargo x 80. Additional leash lock 32 hook andloop fasteners may also be used with embodiments of the claimed subjectmatter.

Referring to FIG. 5, a side perspective view of a holding pan of anembodiment of the claimed subject matter showing the use of the elasticcargo net 52 on the exterior surface of pan 20. Cargo net 52 is showwith two pull loops 58. Lastly, FIG. 6 depicts a side perspective viewof two dri deck segments 54 which are placed within pan 20.

The foregoing described embodiments of the claimed subject matter areprovided as illustrations and descriptions only, and are not intended tolimit the claimed subject matter to the specific embodiments described.In particular, it is contemplated that functional implementations of theclaimed subject matter include a wide array of equivalent materialswhich, along with the described embodiments described herein, may beimplemented in any number of manners apparently to one skilled in theart Examples of alternative embodiments include embodiments which useelastic cord, double sided velcro for pull loops on the elastic cargonets and/or elastic cord cargo x's. Other embodiments may utilize one ormore of the following components: a wax box for housing the apparatus, adrain pan or holding pan made out of various other materials such askevlar or other fabric, rubber changing mats, adhesive velcro stripsand/or dots, velcro straps with pull loop for leash lock, plastic tiewraps, a bottle made of polystyrene or other polymer such aspolyethylene, and a neoprene jacket for the bottle. Other embodimentsmay also include one or more removable first aid kits, bags such as meshbags, and leash cords. These and other numerous embodiments are possiblein light of above teachings. Therefore, the detailed description of themultiple embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claimedsubject matter in any way.

1. A portable mat apparatus comprising: a lower holding pan, said lowerholding pan containing at least one centrally located opening; a selfdraining pan for nesting within said lower holding pan; and at least twograted mats located above said self draining pan wherein a user canstand on said grated mats to change his or her clothing.
 2. The portablemat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includesone or more compartmentalized storage spaces.
 3. The portable matapparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes oneor more handles.
 4. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidself draining pan further includes one or more cargo nets.
 5. Theportable mat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan furtherincludes one or more net notches.
 6. The portable mat apparatus of claim1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or more drainholes.
 7. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 further comprising oneor more rinse bottles.
 8. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising one or more pockets connected to said apparatus using elasticmaterials.
 9. The portable mat apparatus of claim 1 further comprisingone or more leash lock loops formed by pockets connected to saidapparatus using elastic materials.
 10. The portable mat apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes one or moreleash lock loops for securing the self draining pan.
 11. The portablemat apparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includesone or more plastic containers each of which is removably attached toone or more walls of the self draining pan.
 12. The portable matapparatus of claim 1 wherein said self draining pan further includes oneor more cargo x components formed from at least two elastic hook andloop fastener straps each of which is removably attached to one or morewalls of the self draining pan.
 13. The portable mat apparatus of claim12 further comprising one or more elastocket components.
 14. A portablemat system comprising: a lower holding pan, said lower holding pancontaining at least one centrally located opening; a self draining panfor nesting within said lower holding pan; and at least two grated matslocated above said self draining pan wherein a user can stand on saidgrated mats when changing his or her clothing.
 15. A method of changingclothes comprising the steps of a user stepping on a portable matapparatus to change his or her clothes, changing his or her clothes andstepping off the portable mat apparatus, wherein the portable matapparatus is comprised of a lower holding pan, said lower holding pancontaining at least one centrally located opening; a self draining panfor nesting within said lower holding pan; and at least two grated matslocated above said self draining pan for supporting the user when he orshe is standing on the apparatus.